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MP reduction plans challenged

Plans to change Welsh parliamentary constituencies, cutting the number of MPs by a quarter, will be blocked by the Liberal Democrats. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says it's in response to the Conservative revolt against Lords' reform.

Where does Clegg's decision leave Cheryl Gillan? asks Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has responded swiftly to Nick Clegg's announcement, seeing an opportunity to halt any possible changes to how the Assembly is elected, even before consultation is complete on the proposals put forward in a Green Paper by the Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillan.

Given there is now every likelihood that the UK Government will drop its plans to cut the number of Welsh MPs, the First Minister will be writing to the Secretary of State for Wales asking where this now leaves her Green Paper.

– Welsh Government Spokesman

Last week, the Welsh Government formally opposed changing from a system of 40 constituency AMs and 20 elected from regional lists to the Welsh Secretary's preferred option of 30 constituency and 30 regional AMs. It said any change should be a matter for the Assembly itself to decide.